Dexcom (DXCM Quick QuoteDXCM - Free Report) recently released its 2026 “State of Type 2 Report: Global Access and Attitudes to Diabetes Technology” ahead of the 62nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). The report highlights significant gaps in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) awareness and access while pointing to growing potential for combining CGM with GLP-1 therapies. Dexcom also partnered with Team Novo Nordisk, an all-diabetic professional cycling team principally sponsored by Novo Nordisk (NVO Quick QuoteNVO - Free Report) , demonstrating its focus on expanding awareness and adoption of CGM technology.

CGM Adoption Shows Room for Expansion

Dexcom’s survey of more than 800 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 2,500 people with Type 2 diabetes across eight countries highlights a substantial opportunity for CGM adoption. While 89% of HCPs believe CGM helps assess treatment adherence between appointments, 55% of surveyed Type 2 diabetes patients reported limited knowledge of the technology.

Access remains another major hurdle, with reimbursement and coverage challenges cited by 90% of U.S. HCPs and 53% of HCPs across the other seven countries surveyed. Existing users reported strong benefits, with 94% saying CGM helps them manage diabetes more independently and 91% using CGM data to guide treatment decisions.

The findings suggest that greater awareness, physician recommendations and improved reimbursement could expand CGM penetration beyond its current user base, creating a significant opportunity for Dexcom.

GLP-1 and CGM Convergence Creates New Opportunity

The report highlights an emerging intersection between CGM and GLP-1 therapies. Among Type 2 diabetes patients taking GLP-1 medicines, 58% use CGM alongside their medication, compared with only 27% of Type 2 patients who are not using insulin. Meanwhile, a majority of patients are open to using CGM when recommended alongside a GLP-1, while half of HCPs expect increasing GLP-1 use to drive CGM adoption.

This trend could broaden the role of CGM beyond traditional glucose monitoring as GLP-1 use expands across diabetes and obesity care. Novo Nordisk, one of the leading GLP-1 companies, has a broad portfolio spanning Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, while advancing next-generation cardiometabolic therapies.

Strategic Implications

Dexcom’s latest report reinforces the sizeable growth opportunity in CGM as diabetes care is shifting toward data-driven, patient-centered management. The combination of low awareness, reimbursement barriers and growing interest in CGM-plus-GLP-1 treatment leaves substantial room for market expansion.

The Team Novo Nordisk partnership further extends Dexcom’s visibility within the Type 1 diabetes community while creating opportunities for real-world research, education and awareness.

The report points to three interconnected growth avenues for DXCM — broader Type 2 adoption, greater integration with GLP-1 therapy and continued expansion of CGM awareness. At the same time, Abbott Laboratories’ (ABT Quick QuoteABT - Free Report) competing Libre platform underscores the interconnected and competitive nature of the diabetes-care market.

CGM Players Stand to Benefit

The CGM market continues to evolve as established companies like Abbott Laboratories and MiniMed (MMED Quick QuoteMMED - Free Report) are pursuing differentiated strategies centered on accessibility, sensor innovation and connected insulin delivery.

Abbott Laboratories, through its FreeStyle Libre franchise, is broadening CGM adoption across people with diabetes. The company has introduced Libre Assist, an AI-powered feature within the Libre app that uses food information and CGM data to provide personalized, in-the-moment guidance on potential glucose impact. In March, the FreeDM2 trial showed that Libre CGM use among people with Type 2 diabetes on basal insulin produced a greater HbA1c reduction and more time in the healthy glucose range versus traditional finger-prick testing, including patients receiving GLP-1 therapy.

In May 2026, Abbott Laboratories secured the CE Mark for Libre Duo and Libre Duo 10 Day, the world’s first dual glucose-ketone sensing technology. It received FDA authorization in August 2026 for Libre Duo 10 Day, enabling continuous glucose and ketone monitoring through a single wearable sensor. The company also partnered with Google Health to combine Lingo CGM data with AI-powered health coaching. Recent EASD data showed that CGM use, including Libre, was associated with lower mortality and fewer acute diabetes-related hospitalizations among people with Type 2 diabetes using basal insulin. ABT’s Libre portfolio now serves more than eight million users across 60+ countries.

On the GLP-1 front, Abbott Laboratories partnered with Novo Nordisk India in February to commercialize semaglutide under the Extensior brand, extending its diabetes portfolio into GLP-1 therapy.

MiniMed represents another player in the CGM space. Following its separation from Medtronic in March 2026, the MiniMed 780G received CE Mark for use with Abbott Laboratories’ Instinct sensor in Europe, adding a 15-day CGM option. The system is also compatible with the Guardian 4 and Simplera Sync sensors.

MiniMed Flex, the company’s app-controlled automated insulin pump, also received FDA clearance in March. It is designed to fit into everyday life and supports both Instinct and Simplera Sync sensors. MiniMed also launched Instinct sensors, made by Abbott, in Europe, while announcing plans for Abbott-made integrated dual glucose-ketone sensors to expand continuous monitoring beyond glucose. In August, MiniMed began shipping MiniMed Flex with the Instinct sensor, strengthening integration between its app-controlled insulin pump and CGM portfolio.

As CGM adoption expands beyond insulin-treated patients, established device makers could benefit from the broader shift toward continuous, data-driven diabetes management.